Bo Van Pelt defeated John Mallinger with a birdie at the second hole of a sudden-death playoff on Sunday to claim his first US PGA Tour title at the $4-million US Bank Championship.

Van Pelt had two putts to win, left his 26-footer a bit short than made the two-footer for his first victory in his 229th US Tour tournament.

Mallinger put his second shot at the second playoff hole in a greenside bunker. He blasted out, but left himself 28 feet for a birdie and pushed it right.

Van Pelt had a chance to seal the victory on the first playoff hole, but missed a 13-footer for eagle.

He made a tap-in birdie, but mallinger responded with a five-footer.

Van Pelt, 34, claimed a $720 000 winner's prize, as well as the pleasure of winning after a decade on the tour. His best previous finish was a runner-up spot at the 2008 Puerto Rico Open.

He booked his place in the playoff with a final round 64. He played the last 18 of regulation without a bogey and drained a four-foot birdie putt at 18 for a 13-under total of 267.

He had birdied three in a row from the 13th, and when his round was over could only wait and see what the later starters produced.

Mallinger, who was also seeking a first tour title, carded a 65 that was highlighted by an eagle at the par-five 15th.

He dipped to 13-under after a birdie on 16, but gave back a stroke at the next hole.

Mallinger responded with a tap-in birdie at the last to force the playoff as the players in the final group faltered.

Frank Lickliter, who led at 11-under after 54 holes and Australian Greg Chalmers, who started the day one back and was the leader after each of the first two rounds, both failed to recover from early miscues.

The tournament ended with organizers seeking a new title sponsor. US Bank has already said it was ending its six-year run as sponsor of the 42-year-old tournament.

"We're going to continue our efforts to try and find a sponsor, meet with people, talk with the PGA Tour and proceed on our mission," tournament director Dan Croak said.

AFP

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